By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: UK Court of Appeal Rules Against Heathrow Third Runway
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Signin Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2025 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > UK Court of Appeal Rules Against Heathrow Third Runway

UK Court of Appeal Rules Against Heathrow Third Runway

Travel Radar
Last updated: 27 February 2020 12:36
By Travel Radar Staff
4 Min Read
Share
London Heathrow
London Heathrow © Reuters
SHARE

Plans to build a third runway at London-Heathrow have been made more difficult by a UK Court of Appeal decision today that the government’s previous decision to go ahead is illegal.

The ruling was that the decision was unlawful since it goes against the Paris climate agreement: part of the UK’s climate policy. The decision is not the final word; the judges have said that plans may go ahead in future if they adhere to the climate policy.

Expansion Plan for LHR © Heathrow Airport Expansion Consultation via BBC

According to the Airports Council International, Heathrow is the world’s seventh-busiest airport in total passengers and second busiest for international passengers. It is also reported as being at 99% capacity.

The decision is seen as a victory for climate campaigners in the UK—including Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and the legal charity, Plan B who led the appeal—and campaigners around the world.

Expansion plans stretch back as far as the 1990s. In December 2006 the UK Department of Transport supported the proposal and public consultation began in 2007 for the third runway and an additional terminal. In October 2016 a new runway to the northwest and terminal was adopted as official Government policy and confirmed in June 2018.

© Flickr Commons

The arguments for the expansion chiefly revolved around the added opportunity for economic growth in the southeast of the country. The British Chamber of Commerce estimated that the additional economic benefits could be as high as £30 billion.

Arguments against the expansion centred on the expected increase in carbon emissions, the necessary destruction of local property and additional noise & air pollution. Those opposed included proportions of both Labour and Conservation parties, the Mayor of London, the local borough of Hillingdon, various environmental groups and the National Trust.

Present-day LHR © Flickr Commons

Proposed alternatives included better utilisation of existing capacity, (chiefly the increased use of the now-discontinued A380) greater use of other airports near London; Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, and greater use of regional airports such as Manchester, Cardiff and Birmingham. Additional construction and use of rail networks (such as the controversial HS2 project) would reduce the demand for domestic flights.

The global impact of the decision is likely to be significant; Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh, an international public law expert at Leiden University, has said, “For the first time, a court has confirmed that the Paris agreement temperature goal has binding effect. This goal was based on overwhelming evidence about the catastrophic risk of exceeding 1.5C of warming. Yet some have argued that the goal is aspirational only, leaving governments free to ignore it in practice.”

At the time of writing, the UK government does not appear to be planning to appeal whereas Heathrow Airport Holdings is likely to do so.

You Might Also Like

Air Astana Launches Direct Flights to Phu Quoc
Both Pilots Asleep During ITA Flight to Rome?
Pakistan International Airlines and Airblue UK Flights Cleared to Resume as IMF Privatisation Looms
Pilot Shortage Forces American Airlines to Bench 100 Regional Aircraft
Global Warming may CLOSE Greenland’s Airport
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Angry0
Travel Radar
ByTravel Radar Staff
Follow:
Articles from guest contributors wishing to remain anonymous are credited to this account. Want to contribute to Travel Radar either in-name, or anonymously? Get in touch: [email protected]
Previous Article Condor 753 LOT Polish Airlines deal approved to buy Condor.
Next Article Biman Bangladesh B787 ©Md. Shaifuzzaman Aya Airline Profile; Biman Bangladesh
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest

guest

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

A picture of an aeroplane struggling to land during storm Amy 2025
Europe’s first week of October Air Traffic held steady despite worsened punctuality   
Airlines Aviation
Inside of an Airport in Chicago USA
What Really Happens Behind the Scenes When Your Flight Gets Delayed?
Aviation Did You Know
Wing of an aircraft in the sky with some white fluffy clouds in the background
7 Useful Tips to Travel Abroad
Aviation Travel
Bristol Airport's sustainable drive generates a record number of renewable energy in their drive to use sustainable initiatives to keep emissions, power, and more within the airport at a minimum.
Bristol Airport’s Sustainable Drive Generates Record Number Of Renewable Energy
Aircraft Airports Aviation
Ryanair's record winter schedule to Amman has been announced, with over 300k seats across 18 destinations to 12 New EU routes. The airline has also unveiled a major investment proposal for Amman, Aqaba and Marka.
Ryanair Record Winter Schedule and Major Investment to Amman
Airlines Route Development
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • Latest News
  • Subscribe
  • Weekly Digest
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Media Coverage
  • Press & Events
  • Join Our Team
  • Our Brands

Signup to our Newsletter!

And get the latest aviation news via our weekly news digest!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Not a member? Sign Up